Sexual and Gender Minorities in Humanitarian Emergencies
Abstract
LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex) people are at risk for the same human rights abuses in humanitarian emergencies as the rest of the population. However, existing stigmas surrounding minority sexual orientation and gender identities, coupled with rigid normative systems within the context of emergency response, may further marginalize and compromise the security and well-being of LGBTI persons. This chapter offers examples of the experiences of LGBTI people in emergencies and the specific challenges faced in periods of unrest and in accessing the services designed to help people. It then addresses gathering data on LGBTI populations, explores key areas where LGBTI persons face barriers to humane emergency assistance, and examines proxies that may suggest approaches to improving protection mechanisms in emergency response and other postcrisis programming. Finally, it suggests recommendations for making emergency programs and protocols sensitive to the experiences and needs of LGBTI people.
Keywords
LGBTI Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex Sexual orientation Gender identity MSM HIV protocols Training Emergencies Emergency response Refugees Forced migrationReferences
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